Accounting at University of Hawaii at Hilo

Based on comparable accounting programs nationally, University of Hawaii at Hilo's bachelor's degree suggests first-year earnings around $53,700 with roughly $23,000 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that falls well within manageable territory. What's striking is that this estimated outcome sits above the $50,400 median for Hawaii accounting programs, despite UH Hilo being a smaller campus with a 90% admission rate. The estimated debt load is notably lower than Hawaii's $32,900 median for accounting degrees, which matters considerably when starting salaries in the state run about 6% below the national benchmark.

The catch is that we're working entirely with estimates here—neither earnings nor debt figures are reported directly for UH Hilo's accounting graduates due to small class sizes. The projections suggest this program could deliver solid value, particularly given Hawaii's higher cost of living and the accounting profession's stable demand. Programs at both UH Manoa and University of Phoenix-Hawaii report actual earnings in the $49,400-$51,400 range, providing some regional context that loosely aligns with these estimates.

For parents, the estimated numbers paint an encouraging picture: reasonable debt for a professional credential in a field with clear career paths. However, given the absence of school-specific data, you'll want to verify graduate outcomes directly with UH Hilo's accounting department and understand local employment patterns before committing. The fundamentals look sound, but confirmation matters when the figures are projections rather than track records.